Cigar-lighter



T. VAN ALLER- CIGAR LIGHTER.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.19| I917. 1,328,466, Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

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TYCHO VAN ALLER, OF SCHENECTAIDY, NEW YORK, ASSIGN'OR TO GENERAL ELECTRI COMPANY, A CORPORATION 015 NEW YORK.

CIGARLIGHTER.

which a resistance coil is designed to heat the surrounding medium to incandescence for ignitionpurposes. 4

More specifically, this invention relates to heating devices of this type which are exposed to the air and areadapted for ignitlng cigars and the like.

The object of this invention is to produce an igniting device of this character which is compact and durable and in which the heating unit may be readily removed and replaced in case it fails to give satisfaction.

A further object of this invention is to improve the electrical connections to the resistance coil of the heating unit.

Still further objects will appear and a complete understanding of this invention may be had from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrically heated cigar lighter embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a section through the portion of the lighter which supports the heating unit. Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views of this portion. Fig. 5 shows a detail of the means for securing the handle. Fig. 6 is a perspective view, parts being broken away, of the heatin unit removed from the cigar lighter and Fig. 7 is fragmentary. section through a corner of the heating unit.

Referring now to the drawing, A denotes the handle for manipulating the cigar lighter as desired. B denotes generally the means for supporting the heating unit E, which is connected to a suitable source of current by the lamp cord or cable C.

The perforated cap D is fitted over the heating unit E and serves both for protecting the heating unit E and forgiving the cigar lighter an ornate appearance.

The receptacle F, secured to the handle A, serves both as a means for catching any burning particles that may fall from the cigar being lighted and as a guard to keep Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

Application filed October 19, 1917. Serial No. 197,417.

articles or persons from accidentally getting too close to the heating unit.

The means B for supporting the heatin unit E, consists of two similarly shaped slabs of insulating material, such as shown at 10 and 11 in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. I

The slab 10 is formed with openings 12 therein, to register with openings 13 to receive screws 14 adapted-to be screwed in the U-shaped bar 15, set in the outer or front face of slab 11, for'securing the twoslabs together. 4

On the inner or back face of slab 11, are mounted two conducting strips or members 16 and 17, one on each side; the strips or m'embers'16 and 17 having binding terminals l8 and 19 respectively to which the conducting ends of the wires in cable C are attached.

The slab 10 is also formed with recesses in its inner face to register with and receive the members 16 and 17 and the cable C secured to slab 11. These recesses in slab 10 enable slabs 10 and 11 to be drawn snugly together by screws 14.

The members 16 and 17 are formed with perforations 20 and 21 respectively registering with similar openings in the slab 11 ada ted to receive conducting pins 22 and 23 see Fig. 6) of the heating unit E.

These pins are bifurcated, as shown at 24 in Fig. 7, so that their ends will yield to pressure to be compressed in order to make a tight fit when pressed into the openings 20 and 21 thereby to engage frictionally and to establish conducting relations with members 16 and 17.

The heating unit E consists of an insulating base 25 such as asbestos lumber on which is secured a coil of suitable resistance wire 26 which is distributed over the entire surface of base 25 by forming it into suitable convolutions. These convolutions are secured in place by embedding the wire in a suitable coating of insulating cement 27, which for instance may consist of water glass mixed in proper proportions with powdered flint, applied to the face of 7 base 25. v

The ends of wire 26 are brought through openings 28, formed in diagonally opposite corners of the base 25, and are wrapped around the shank of s rews 29 passing through base 25 adjacent the openings 28.

The screws 29 are secured in the base 25 by nuts 30 and have washers 31 passed over their ends, between which nuts and washers the ends of wire 26 may be placed as shown in Fig. 7.

To secure the pins 22 and 23 on the heating unit and to put them in conducting relation with the ends of wire 26, I form their upper ends with screw threaded recesses 33 adapted to be screwed onto the shanks of screws 29. 4

Such an arrangement insures a good connection for the ends of wire 26 which is not liable to give trouble or get out of order and enables the self-contained heating unit E to be removed and replaced by merely removing or inserting the pins 22 and 23 in the openings formed therefor in slab 11 and members 16 and 17.

The handle A has an attaching means for securing it to the slabs 10' and 11 consisting of a screw 35 secured in itsnupper end, as shown in Fig. 5, which screw also passes through a portion of the receptacle F to secure the latter in place. The screw 35 may have portions of its head planed away on the sides asv shown at 36 to give it an irregular form and thereby prevent the handle from being readily turned when in place.

This screw 35 is designed to fit snugly in suitably formed recesses 37 and 38 in the slabs .10 and 11, so that when they are assembled the handle A is held securely in place.

The U-shaped bar 15 has, in addition to the openings for receiving screws 14, an opening formed in each upstanding leg, as shown at 39 which openings are adapted to cooperate with and receive indentations 40 formed in the down-tured rim 41 of the perforated cap D. The bar 15 when thus formed constitutes convenient means for supporting the cap D in place over the heating unit E, as shown in Fig. 1.

'While I have here shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention which is at present the best means known to me for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that this is merely illustrative and that I do not mean to be beremb edded in the face of one slab, screws entering said U-shaped member for securing said slabs together, two conducting strips fastened to the inner face of one of said 2. An electric heating device comprising the combination with a pair of similarly formed insulating slabs secured together, of two conducting members fastened to the inner face of one of said slabs and adapted for connection with a source of electric current, a handle having an attaching means engaged by said slabs when secured together and a heating unit having conducting pins thrust into frictional engagement with said members.

3. An electric heating device comprising the combination with a pair of similarly formed insulating slabs, of a U-shaped member embedded in the face of one slab, screws entering said U-shaped member for securing said slabs together, two conducting strips fastened to the inner face of one of said slabs and adapted for connection with a.

source of electric current, a handle provided with a receptacle and attachin means engaged by said slabs when secured together, a heating unit placed over said U-shaped member, said unit having conducting pins thrust into frictional engagement with said conducting strips and a perforated cap supported by said U-shaped member.

4:. In a heating unit, the combination with an insulating base, of a resistance wire distributed over one surface of said base and secured thereto by a coating of insulting cement, the ends of said resistance wire passing through perforations formed in said base, screws passing through said base and conducting pins engaging with said screws on the other surface of said base, with which pins the ends of said wire are bound in conducting relation. I

5. In a heating unit the combination with an insulating base, of a resistance wire distributed over one surface of said base, and secured thereto by a coating of insulating cement, said resistance wire having its ends passing through perforations formed in (liagonally opposite corners of said base, screws located adjacent said perforations, about the shanks of which the ends of said wire are placed, and conducting pins engaging said shanks and binding said ends in conducting relation therewith.

In witness whereof, I' have hereunto set my hand this 17th-day of October, 1917.

TYCHO VAN ALLER. 

